“Screw Google”
Reading the other morning I came across a post by Mitch Joel, and one part really stuck out in my mind and that was the part labeled “Screw Google”. It made me think, what do we care more about, the people who care about us or where we rank according to a little robot crawler who analyzes links and content?
We all know that the internet era is changing, the term web 2.0 is now about as outdated as Betamax (yes I’m 21 and I know what Betamax is). So many social media “gurus” claim to know the key to getting more traffic and ROI. Really? If your strategy involves black marketing and link-baiting, I hate to say it, honestly…bullshit. I could tell my 14 year old sister how to submit links to websites too, there’s no strategy behind that.
The power behind social media is the power of the people. To create viral content, content that people care about, and to be able to give people what they truly want, that is social media. Social objects are the objects that we use in an online world that is shareable, defined on Brian Solis’s blog as:
Social objects represent the content we create in social media, including images, videos, blog posts, comments, status updates, wall posts, and all other social activity that sparks the potential for online conversations.
We know that we need to have the power to be found on Google, all of that can naturally be done with the use of good copywriting(affiliate link), linking and other ways of being no.1 on Google. No longer is Google the top marketing priority, but the ability to have trust and a true meaningful connection to the people you work with, clients or competitors. A relationship with those in your social community are what matters and truly bring home the bacon when it comes to social media. The focus of social media just within the past year has changed from this high-rank competition, into a challenge of building the best relationships.
By having your content being found, whether on a social network or through Google is a combination of careful content, and your relationships. Without using the two combined, you’re just another robot out there in the social community. But who wants to listen to a robot?
How are you using your communities?
Image by Don3rdSE
Burning Bridges – Relationship Series pt. 4
Have you burned any bridges lately?
← Please not that one, I happen to like it!
But really, have you? Why? Sometimes I think it can be the best thing you can do. Although, should you ask many of the A-list bloggers and Personal Branding gurus, they will say no keep them around you never know when you will need them.
While I agree with that, I don’t mean erase them from your book and be the world’s biggest jerk to them. Just don’t ruin it to where they will be undisposed to help you in the future. Because really they will be a help for you.
But what do you do when you just can’t stand someone, or they’re destructive to your client relationship, your business, or your own brand? You have to realize that there will always be someone you won’t get along with. Thanks human nature. The reality of the matter is that even though they are affecting you negatively you must turn that into a positive realization for you and what you stand for. Be it your B2B, B2C, relationship, whatever. There is always something constructive to be obtained from negativity.
Let’s take Dan Schawbel for example, the premier on Personal Branding. A few days ago he tweeted:
You have to be as committed to your social media profile as you are to your husband or wife.
And boy oh boy did that spark someone. Just read the response at Jerry Albright’s Blog.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying to burn a bridge but learn from it, why do people misunderstand advice? What can you do to clarify? Don’t go on the defensive and strike back, understand the misconception and react appropriately. Let us also not forget to take things with a grain of salt. No need to dwell.
Sometimes though, you must sever the connection. Just let things go and only attend to that contact when needed. Burn Bridges, it just might be productive.
What do you think? Have you burned bridges? Why? Did was it a wise move?
Image by Anirudh Koul